Former defensive back Derrick Bryant and linebacker Karnell Hatcher also were arrested. Each of the men were inside Mathieu’s apartment.

Baton Rouge police said that Mathieu, 20, and Jefferson, 22, were booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of simple possession of marijuana. Hatcher, 22, was booked with second-offense simple possession of marijuana and Bryant, 22, was booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Police spokesman Lt. Don Kelly told reporters that officers were called to the apartment complex about 3:30 p.m. after receiving a complaint about a man forcing his way through the security gate before going to Mathieu's apartment.

After Mathieu gave officers consent to search his apartment once police detected a strong odor of marijuana, a marijuana grinder, digital scale and 10 bags of marijuana were discovered, police told Baton Rouge television station WAFB. Seven of the bags were found inside Bryant’s bag, police said.

It has been widely reported that Mathieu, known as the Honey Badger, previously failed multiple drug tests, leading to his removal from the football team this past August. Mathieu is currently enrolled at LSU and had hopes of returning to the Tigers in 2013.

Jefferson missed four games at the start of the 2011 season while serving a suspension following his late-night arrest outside a Baton Rouge bar.

Lance Unglesby, Jefferson's lawyer in the misdemeanor criminal case stemming from the fight, said a discovery hearing in that matter is scheduled next week. He said his client has always maintained his innocence in the incident.

"My opinion that Jordan is a fine young man remains the same," Unglesby said.

Unglesby said he had not yet been provided with any details of Jefferson's latest arrest, but said, "All individuals are presumed innocent and I look forward to the opportunity to examine the facts of this case to find out what really happened."

It was not immediately known whether Mathieu, Hatcher or Bryant had lawyers.

A spokeswoman for the university did not immediately respond to messages left by The Associated Press.